Get the Marshmallow Look Right Now

For the first time, Google has released the stock Android launcher for anyone who wants it. The new Google Now Launcher is exactly what Marshmallow ships with, and it supports some cool new features such as:

Backup App Data and Restore (No Root)

Marshmallow brings a much-wanted feature, the ability to backup an app with all its data and then restore it to a device, without rooting your phone. Well, you might be surprised to know you can already do that.

Helium backs up most apps, and it will notify you of which ones it can’t. I suggest you also backup the APK, since it makes restoring easier for some apps that break compatibility with new versions.

When you’re ready to install all this to a new phone again, connect it to your PC, download the app, and restore all your apps. It’s seamless and just works.

Helium Premium will also let you backup to cloud devices and external storage, and it supports apps that the free one doesn’t. Cloud backup makes it easier to sync an Android phone or tablet over WiFi. It’s well worth $4.99, if you ask me, but try out the free app first.

Helium isn’t a perfect solution though. For a full and complete backup of Android, you’ll need a rooted device and Titanium Backup Pro.

How to Manage Individual App Permissions

Android Marshmallow finally, finally brings the ability to control app permissions on an individual basis. What this means is that if an app asks for permission to read your text messages and your GPS data, you can choose to grant access to location but not your messages.

App Ops is super simple and you’ll be able to toggle the permissions any app uses with a simple switch. That’s exactly how it works in Marshmallow too. So if you’re on Android 4.3 or higher, you’re in luck!

One thing to note: Uninstalling App Ops isn’t as easy as just deleting the app from your phone, you need to download a special App Ops Uninstaller.

Better Cut, Copy, Paste for Android

Mimicking the iOS look, the new Android 6.0 makes it easier to cut, copy, and paste anything by giving you clear options when you select any text or image. However, there’s actually a better way than Marshmallow’s options.

Boost Your Battery Life With Two Apps

Marshmallow has two cool features to lengthen your battery life. First, it automatically puts unused apps to sleep. Second, it detects when you aren’t using your phone and stops using data at that time.

But what do you know? You already have a couple apps that will do the same things! You need to download Greenify and JuiceDefender.

Ditch Chrome Custom Tabs, Get Firefox 42

One of the cooler features in Android Marshmallow is Google Chrome’s new Custom Tabs. With this, apps can open an optimized browser tab with saved passwords and other Chrome data intact. Plus, the pages will preload in the background so they seem faster.

Even if you aren’t using Android 6.0, you can get all of this goodness with the new Google Chrome for Android, which includes this feature.

I'm really not meaning to be nitpicky. Marshmallow is something I'm looking forward to. But Marshmallow introduces the new feature of putting unused apps to sleep? Doesn't earlier versions do this? I distinctly remember reading that at least Lollipop does when I read an article on a renowned website (ahem!) where someone explained exactly why task killers are bad. Am I remembering incorrectly, or is this deja vu all over again?

Between Greenify and Juice Defender I would definitely use Greenify (I used to) because it's not actually a task killer. It's hibernation process does make your phone s-l-i-g-h-t-l-y slower though.

I have a new Moto G 2nd gen which apparently upgraded to 5.1 with Google Now. I hate it so far. I preferred the horizontal scrolling because I knew how many swipes to make for my apps. Don't like the extra home screen. Uninstalled Google Now and it trashed my home screens altogether and I had to reset all the apps.

I figured I'd through in my favorite launcher...Apex Launcher Pro. I'm an info junkie, so I like that it lets me add additional lines and columns on my screens for icons and widgets. I won't go deeper than that here, but suffice to say that you can customize pretty much every single aspect of your phone's appearance.

That said, if you want a lightweight, nimble and fun launcher that tightly integrates with apps similar to what's been outlined in this great article, check out CM Launcher by Cheetah Mobile.

I think I'll go check out Arrow Launcher......I'm constantly changing things up if I see something better.

"If you are using Android 5.x Lollipop or Android 4.3/4.4 KitKat, you can control individual app permissions with App Ops. On Android versions 4.2 and older, you’ll need to root your phone to control permissions."

And I say again mine is 5.0.2.
So, why it does not work?
How can I make it work?